2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey Results for Privy Council Office by Question 31. Are you an Aboriginal person?

The results of the 2017 Public Service Employee Annual Survey (PSEAS) are presented according to the numerical order of questions, grouped by section theme as they appeared in the questionnaire. Results are not shown when there is no historical comparison, or when there is an insufficient number of responses.

Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100. Results have been adjusted for non-response to better represent the target population. Therefore, percentages should not be used to determine the number of respondents within a response category.

Survey Themes

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My Workplace

Question 1. My department or agency implements activities and practices that support a diverse workplace.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 41 32 8 10 10 0 0 73 20 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 45 34 10 7 1 3 0 81 9 508
2014 Aboriginal 44 25 18 12 0 0 0 70 12 16
2014 Non-Aboriginal 43 33 13 3 1 6 1 81 5 614

Question 2. Overall, my department or agency treats me with respect.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 50 22 0 27 0 0 0 73 27 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 48 34 8 6 3 0 0 82 10 506
2014 Aboriginal 56 13 25 6 0 0 0 69 6 16
2014 Non-Aboriginal 60 29 6 3 1 1 0 89 5 614
2011 Aboriginal 53 28 14 5 0 0 0 81 5 21
2011 Non-Aboriginal 52 34 9 2 3 0 0 86 5 659
2008 Aboriginal 53 20 13 13 0 0 0 73 13 15
2008 Non-Aboriginal 43 39 9 5 4 0 0 82 8 466

Question 3. I am encouraged to be innovative or to take initiative in my work.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 48 34 0 8 10 0 0 83 17 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 45 31 7 10 6 0 0 76 16 506
2014 Aboriginal 25 50 13 0 12 0 0 76 12 16
2014 Non-Aboriginal 37 41 10 7 4 0 0 78 11 613

Question 4. I believe I would be supported if I proposed a new idea, even though it might not work.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 26 47 0 20 8 0 0 73 27 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 35 34 13 10 7 1 0 70 17 502

Question 5. I have support at work to balance my work and personal life.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 18 32 0 16 34 0 0 50 50 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 31 35 12 14 9 0 0 66 23 506
2014 Aboriginal 44 12 14 12 18 0 0 56 30 16
2014 Non-Aboriginal 36 35 13 10 4 1 0 72 15 614
2011 Aboriginal 62 10 10 10 4 0 4 75 15 21
2011 Non-Aboriginal 38 34 11 10 5 1 1 74 15 662

Question 6. I am satisfied with my department or agency.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 34 39 0 27 0 0 0 73 27 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 43 34 11 7 5 0 0 77 12 506
2014 Aboriginal 37 38 6 6 13 0 0 75 19 16
2014 Non-Aboriginal 50 31 11 5 2 0 0 81 7 613
2011 Aboriginal 58 32 4 0 5 0 0 90 5 21
2011 Non-Aboriginal 46 32 13 6 4 0 0 78 10 658
2008 Aboriginal 60 27 7 7 0 0 0 87 7 15
2008 Non-Aboriginal 41 37 14 5 3 0 0 78 8 466

Question 7. Overall, I like my job.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 46 37 0 8 10 0 0 83 17 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 48 34 8 6 3 0 0 82 9 507
2014 Aboriginal 39 48 7 0 6 0 0 87 6 16
2014 Non-Aboriginal 51 35 7 4 3 0 0 86 7 613
2011 Aboriginal 64 26 10 0 0 0 0 90 0 21
2011 Non-Aboriginal 51 36 7 4 2 0 0 87 7 661
2008 Aboriginal 53 33 7 7 0 0 0 87 7 15
2008 Non-Aboriginal 46 42 6 4 2 0 0 88 6 467
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Workplace Well-Being

Question 8. My immediate supervisor creates an environment where I feel free to discuss with him or her matters that affect my well-being at work.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 58 14 0 17 10 0 0 73 27 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 59 21 7 7 6 0 0 80 13 507

Question 9. My immediate supervisor seems to care about me as a person.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 48 24 8 10 10 0 0 73 20 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 59 21 7 6 7 1 0 80 13 507

Question 10. I would describe my workplace as being psychologically healthy.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 23 35 14 8 20 0 0 58 27 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 35 31 11 13 10 0 0 67 23 506

Question 11. My department or agency does a good job of raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.

Survey year Demographic Strongly agree
(%)
Somewhat agree
(%)
Neither agree nor disagree
(%)
Somewhat disagree
(%)
Strongly disagree
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 31 52 0 8 10 0 0 83 17 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 37 35 15 6 5 2 0 74 11 507

Question 12. Overall, my level of work-related stress is…

Survey year Demographic Very low
(%)
Low
(%)
Moderate
(%)
High
(%)
Very High
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 0 28 33 17 22 0 0 28 40 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 3 15 38 30 13 0 0 18 43 497

Question 13. After my workday, I feel emotionally drained.

Survey year Demographic Always/ Almost always
(%)
Often
(%)
Sometimes
(%)
Rarely
(%)
Never/ Almost never
(%)
Don't know
(%)
Not applicable
(%)
Positive answers
(%)
Negative answers
(%)
Total responses
2017 Aboriginal 40 0 53 8 0 0 0 8 40 10
2017 Non-Aboriginal 10 28 39 17 4 0 1 22 38 499
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Harassment

Harassment is normally a series of incidents, but it can be one severe incident that has a lasting impact on the individual.
Harassment is any improper conduct by an individual that is directed at and offensive to another individual in the workplace, including at any event or any location related to work, and that the individual knew or ought reasonably to have known would cause offence or harm. It comprises objectionable act(s), comment(s) or display(s) that demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation or embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat. It also includes harassment within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act (i.e., based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record).

Question 14. Having carefully read the definition of harassment, have you been the victim of harassment on the job in the past two years?

Survey year Demographic Yes
(%)
No
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 17 83 502
2014 Non-Aboriginal 13 87 610

Question 15a. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 43 87
2014 Non-Aboriginal 41 78

Question 15b. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 62 87
2014 Non-Aboriginal 59 78

Question 15d. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals for whom I have a custodial responsibility (e.g., inmates, offenders, patients, detainees)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 0 87
2014 Non-Aboriginal 0 78

Question 15e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 7 87
2014 Non-Aboriginal 7 78

Question 15g. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Other

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 6 87
2014 Non-Aboriginal 6 78
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Discrimination

Discrimination means treating someone differently or unfairly because of a personal characteristic or distinction, which, whether intentional or not, has an effect that imposes disadvantages not imposed on others, or that withholds or limits access that is given to others. There are 11 prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record.

Question 16. Having carefully read the definition of discrimination, have you been the victim of discrimination on the job in the past two years?

Survey year Demographic Yes
(%)
No
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 8 92 498
2014 Non-Aboriginal 5 95 612

Question 17a. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Co-workers

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 23 38
2014 Non-Aboriginal 60 26

Question 17b. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals with authority over me

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 72 38
2014 Non-Aboriginal 75 26

Question 17d. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals for whom I have a custodial responsibility (e.g., inmates, offenders, patients, detainees)

Survey year Demographic  
(%)
Total responses
2017 Non-Aboriginal 0 38
2014 Non-Aboriginal 0 26